How active is the military aircraft in the Illinois area?

[WX9RLT]

Illinois Military Aircraft Monitoring

(If this belongs in the other section, I apologize)

How active is the military aircraft in the Illinois area?


Do they use the military spectrum 225-400, or the common aviation band?

Please post stuff that you know that has been active recently.

I have been searching the military air bands, but no luck on my end.
So I am wondering if it is because of the inactivity, or if it is on my end.

Thank you.

 

[VASCAR2]

Boeing is testing F-15’s which are going to Qatar. I have heard radio traffic a few times on 252.2250 and 246.9000.

Sometimes the aviators have asian accents and some sound American. I have seen the F-15’s in the Red Hills MOA area of southeastern Illinois. I have seen military aircraft listed on ADS-B exchange as Qatar in Southeastern Mo around St Louis and in the vicinity of Mark Twain National Forest.

I also see F-15’s going in and out of Capital Airport in Springfield and have heard AF pilots advise they are en route Springfield. There are regular flights of KC-135’s out of Scott AFB. Their are AF Boeing 737 (based at Scott AFB) that frequently do touch and goes at Capital Airport. I usually don’t have a scanner when I’m in the Springfield area to hear any radio traffic.

I rarely see Military fighter jets displayed on ADS-B unless in the St Louis Metro area.

I frequently see C-130’s from Peoria flying in the Springfield Illinois area and they are usually displayed on ADS-B.

I have also seen CH-47 Chinooks and UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters in the Springfield area. There are UH-72 Lakota helicopters based in Decatur who regularly fly in central Illinois. There used to be Army NG Blackhawk helicopters based at Scott AFB but I’m unsure if they are still there.

 

[N9JCQ]

It all depends on where you are located and what you are using for an antenna.

 

[mws72]

In Northern part of the state. I usually only hear (or see on ADS-B) transient aircraft or WiANG anymore.